Liverpool had not expected to be in the Premier League title race this season.
Expectations were low for the Reds after a poor fifth-placed finish during the previous campaign.
A route back into the Champions League was the best most supporters were hoping for. However, in what turned out to be Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Anfield, Liverpool did far better than predicted.
Obviously, with Klopp departing, expectations may have to be reset a little. Although Liverpool have an excellent squad, Arne Slot is an untested quantity in terms of English football. Nobody’s quite sure what to expect.
As a result, the Reds could do with all the help they can get. With Manchester City gunning for a fifth straight league title, they’ll be difficult to stop. Having said that, Liverpool could be about to find themselves with a small early advantage.
Liverpool could hold goalkeeping advantage over Man City
There has not been much to choose between Liverpool and City over recent years. Although the Manchester side have far more titles, the two teams have gone toe-to-toe many times.
Part of the reason for that has been Klopp’s status as one of the very best coaches in the world. But it has also had plenty to do with the brilliance of Liverpool’s players.
Put the Reds team up against their equivalent in Guardiola’s squad and there’ll be a debate in most positions.
Perhaps the best example of this is at goalkeeper. While we’d argue that Alisson Becker is the best goalie in the world, plenty would still choose Ederson over Alisson.
READ MORE: Alisson Becker should be furious over the Premier League’s save of the seasondecision
It is a debate that has raged back in the two players’ native Brazil as well as amongst fans of English football. Maybe there is no right answer.
What is clear though, is that Alisson is a far better goalkeeper than City No.2 Stefan Ortega. And according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, there’s a possibility that Ortega could be Guardiola’s new No.1 next season.
“Manchester City goalkeepers plan included new deal for Stefan Ortega also because Ederson future is still open,” Romano reported on Saturday.
“As revealed two weeks ago, Ederson exit is serious possibility this summer in case of good proposal. There’s interest from Saudi, it will be up to the player.”
Ederson set to leave, Alisson set to stay
The Saudi Arabian sides are really trying to bad themselves a Brazilian goalkeeper this summer. Alisson has also been strongly linked with a move to the Middle East.
However, it seems virtually certain that the 31-year-old will stay at Anfield. Unless anything drastic happens, Alisson will be Liverpool’s goalkeeper next season.
For Ederson, it looks like much more of a possibility that he will leave. And while that is bad news for City, it could be good news for Liverpool.
While he does have a mistake in him, Ederson is still one of the best goalkeepers around. He’s absolutely crucial to what City do.
Ortega has shown himself to be a decent deputy since arriving in 2022, but as he displayed in the recent FA Cup final against Manchester United, he is not a top ‘keeper.
As they wait to see exactly what they’ll be challenging for next season, this could end up being a real boost for Liverpool.